New Judges

In past seasons of “Top Chef,” we've had one, two or sometimes zero Chicagoans to root for. On the upcoming ninth season filmed in Austin, Dallas and San Antonio, Texas, we have a whopping half dozen -- but there's no telling how long they'll stick around. Because everything's bigger in Texas, the producers decided to start the show with 29 hopefuls who have to cook their way into 16 cheftestant spots. In other words, mass elimination on the first episode, airing 9 p.m. CST Nov. 2. Though the bigger group was intimidating, Chicago's hopefuls were ready to bring it. “I feel …...

Potential patrons in search of stars at the Adler Planetarium have been out of luck for the last couple days, as the "American Idol" entourage took over the museum in search of their own kind of star. The show has previously discovered finalists like Jennifer Hudson and Crystal Bowersox in Chicago, and based on judges' comments at a Wednesday press conference, the group likes its chances to find another phenom from the city. Randy Jackson, Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey, Keith Urban and Ryan Seacrest were all on hand for the conference, sitting pretty in a glass-cased wing of the building,...

Potential patrons in search of stars at the Adler Planetarium have been out of luck for the last couple days, as the "American Idol" entourage took over the museum in search of their own kind of star. The show has previously discovered finalists like Jennifer Hudson and Crystal Bowersox in Chicago, and based on judges' comments at a Wednesday press conference, the group likes its chances to find another phenom from the city. Randy Jackson, Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey, Keith Urban and Ryan Seacrest were all on hand for the conference, sitting pretty in a glass-cased wing of the building,...

In past seasons of “Top Chef,” we've had one, two or sometimes zero Chicagoans to root for. On the upcoming ninth season filmed in Austin, Dallas and San Antonio, Texas, we have a whopping half dozen -- but there's no telling how long they'll stick around. Because everything's bigger in Texas, the producers decided to start the show with 29 hopefuls who have to cook their way into 16 cheftestant spots. In other words, mass elimination on the first episode, airing 9 p.m. CST Nov. 2. Though the bigger group was intimidating, Chicago's hopefuls were ready to bring it. “I feel …...

All the "American Idol" rumors can be put to rest. Fox on Tuesday confirmed it's new judges panel for the thirteenth season: Returning judge Keith Urban will be joined by Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick Jr. Now maybe "Idol" can get back to the business of finding great new talent like past chanps Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood instead of focusing on sparring judges like last season's Mariah Carey-Nicki Minaj feud. The new panel is the show's first to consist solely of singers, a possible nod to the success of NBC's "The Voice.

It looks like Chicago is represented well on the fourth season of Bravo's "Top Chef Masters," set to debut July 25. The cast of 12 includes Takashi Yagihashi of Bucktown's Takashi and River North's Slurping Turtle and also Art Smith of Gold Coast restaurant Table Fifty-Two. "Top Chef Masters" is a spin-off of Bravo's popular "Top Chef"series that features seasoned chefs competing to win $100,000 for a charity of their choice. Takashi will be competing on behalf of the American Red Cross, benefitting Japanese tsunami disaster...

We were so excited about Thursday's premiere of "Jersey Shore: Return to Skanklandia" that we almost forgot that it's time for "Project Runway: All Stars"! The good: More time with Austin Scarlett and Mondo. The bad: Heidi Klum, Michael Kors and Nina Garcia are replaced with new judges, and Tim Gunn is replaced as mentor by some chick we've never heard of. Still, have your DVR at the ready -- NAME TK TK TK was kicked off in the first round, and there's more chopping to come. damoran@tribune.com | @redeyedana Austin Scarlett How he finished: ...

"American Idol" has found one of its new judges. Five-time Grammy Award-winner Mariah Carey will join the singing competition when it returns in January on Fox, the network announced Monday at the Television Critics Association summer press tour in L.A. "I am so excited to be joining 'Idol,'" she said over the phone when Fox entertainment president Kevin Reilly dialed her up on his cell, according to reports. Carey had been rumored to be the choice because longtime judge Randy Jackson manages her. "Randy was very instrumental in doing this deal," Reilly said,...